The European accelerators helping start-ups to crest the fintech wave

A start-up is only as good as the ground swell behind it, and getting one off the starting blocks can be a colossal challenge. Throughout Europe, accelerators and incubators are making things just a little bit easier.

Fintech is riding high on the wave of a ground swell of its own at the moment, but no sector is immune to the difficulties of launching a start-up.

And accelerators and incubators will be needed. In March of last year, Minister Simon Harris announced the ‘Vision and Targets for International Financial Services (IFS) 2020’, which aims to create an additional 10,000 fintech roles by 2020. Many of those will come from start-ups.

But, of course, the sector isn’t just blossoming in Ireland – it is truly global, and opportunities for start-ups are spread across continents.

The biggest boons are in the US, where it’s far easier to get financing than anywhere else – American companies are still getting the bulk of global investment. This is a problem for European start-ups as, beyond the money, investors can also provide fledgling companies with essential networking and mentoring opportunities.

FinTech Innovation Lab

Bringing together innovative start-ups and mentors from some of the world’s largest financial and tech institutions – like Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, RBS and Citi – the 12-week programme is focused on finding early-stage companies and taking them global.

The accelerator also runs in Hong Kong, where applications have just opened for this year’s programme, and New York.

Kickstart FinTech

Begun partly to inspire an interest in start-ups and entrepreneurship among Zurich’s old money, Swiss-based Kickstart operates across four areas – fintech, internet of things, food and future tech – and is backed by DigitalZurich2025 and the Kick Foundation.

Fintech Fusion

Geneva, home to the Fintech Fusion accelerator. Image via Shutterstock

Fintech Fusion is a 12-month accelerator programme based in Geneva. Taking in 10 start-ups per year, from all over the globe, the accelerator – Switzerland’s first dedicated fintech accelerator –provides workshops, training, and access to a network of mentors and industry experts.

Running for its second year, Fintech Fusion is now seeking applicants, particularly in asset and wealth management, blockchain, risk management, cybersecurity and data privacy, and insurance and commodity training.

Fintech Fusion does not take equity from its participants, intending simply to create a fintech ecosystem and bolster Switzerland’s reputation as a financial hub.

FinLeap

Describing itself as a fintech company builder, FinLeap is based in Berlin, with ventures in the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Poland.

The accelerator combines support from serial entrepreneurs, finance experts and tech specialists with access to funding and investment – up to €5m worth – to bring a venture to launch-readiness in six months.

Level39

Based out of London’s Canary Wharf – and owned by the Canary Wharf Group – Level39 is Europe’s roomiest accelerator, catering from companies ranging from four employees to 40.

Accepting applications from start-ups working in the finance, retail, smart cities and cybersecurity sectors, Level39 pairs companies with mentors from a wide variety of backgrounds, from serial entrepreneurs to fintech experts to investment strategists.

Like Kickstart and Fintech Fusion, Level39 takes no equity from its participating start-ups.

Startupbootcamp Fintech

Startupbootcamp is a global network of start-up accelerators, operating in verticals from IoT and smart cities to digital health.

The network seeks a diverse group of start-ups for each accelerator, with each ‘class’ containing numerous ventures originating outside the host country.

In the fintech vertical (programmes run in London, but also Singapore and New York), Startupbootcamp provides start-ups with structured mentorship, office space in London, funding, and access to investors and venture capital funds.

Ten start-ups will be selected for the London programme, applications for which will close in June.

Updated on 22 April at 9.25am to clarify details about the Swiss accelerators.